Title
To honor and recognize the 2015 14th Annual GhanaPic Ohio.
Body
WHEREAS, since the late 1990s, over 20,000 Ghanaians have come to call Columbus, Ohio their home due to its welcoming, peaceful neighborhoods, educational opportunities, and its plentiful housing and job markets; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, under the inspired calling of Elder Baffour Awuah, the Ghanaian congregations of Church of Pentecost, Jesus Power Assemblies, Apostolic Church International, and Ebenezer United Methodist participated in a family picnic that by 2004 would grow to include 10 congregations and today incorporates 12 churches, 12 associations, and 14 community organizations and businesses; and
WHEREAS, beginning in 2005 the annual picnic was set to be held every year on the second or third Saturday in August and focuses on a spirit of diversity and inclusion - the main stay free activities always included fellowship, food and music, free health screening and wellness, children’s games, a soccer gala and other competitive sports and games, as well as banking, insurance and financial awareness as well as a goodwill message that serves as the annual theme; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, the OneGoal Family Picnic, the Ghana Council of Associations, and representatives from the various hosting churches and associations had the wisdom to merge and hold one picnic. The official name GhanaPic was selected and a new logo symbolizing unity was adopted; and
WHEREAS, this year’s theme is “Blessed Are The Peace Makers” and will feature many unique activities such as the Parade of Cultural Heritage by representatives of chiefs in Ghana, African games such as “oware” and “ampe”, traditional drumming and dancing; and
WHEREAS, the 14th Annual GhanaPic Ohio will be held at Maloney Park on Saturday, August 15, 2015; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That we do hereby honor and recognize the 2015 14th Annual GhanaPic Ohio.